by Tiff -

My dream of looking like a badass may finally come true

Fashion-wise, what defines “badass” to you? Torn jeans, an old Aerosmith concert shirt from the 1980s? For me, it’s the classic trench coat, and it’s been denied to me until now. A wheelchair may be a hindrance to a lot of things, but it can’t rain on my badassery parade any longer.

See what I mean on my latest blog on Izzy Camilleri, a haute couture fashion designer who’s thrown her hat into the adapted fashion ring.

– Tiff

by Tiff -

Leg warmers, and their “magical” medical properties

I’m always a sucker for gifts, so Garvey Rich over at Functional Comfort must be psychic. You see, as a blogger (if you’re semi-popular or moreso), there’s this bad ass phenomenon of receiving free things in the mail from companies, with an end goal (on their part) that I’ll blog about their said product in a positive light. Free advertising yo.

So when I received 4 pairs of leg warmers and 2 pairs of arm warmers in the mail from the people at Function Comfort, I must say I felt I’ve moved up in the eschelon of blogger-dom. This is the first time a company has ever sent me free products, and MAN….*does a little happy dance*. It. Is. Awesome.

Click for the rest (and I need the hits!)

– Tiff

by Tiff -

Toasty Socks Are The Holy Grail (to staying warm)

I discovered recently that wearing toasty warm socks after getting into bed (the fleece kind of socks, preferrably), is without question the fastest way to warm up ice-cube legs.

An able-bodied friend recently told me about her obsession with wearing these uber-thick socks to bed each night. She swears by them. And that got me thinking to before my injury. I used to wear socks to bed too. The sheets just felt weird on my barefeet. But after my injury, well you know what happened…(couldn’t feel my feet, so I forgot about this).

Anyways, I am here to loudly proclaim that even if you can’t feel your feet, your feet still greatly control your body heat (if your feet are cold your body thinks you’re going into hypothermia, and will send all your blood to your chest cavity to keep your organs). And if this happens, your feet won’t warm up for a VERY long time.

I’ve worn socks to bed three times this week, and each time BARNONE, I warmed up super fast and as a result, slept like a baby. Try it, people!

And here’s some very excellent fleece socks to procure.

– Tiff

PS. I’m more than aware that wearing fleece socks to bed isn’t sexy, luckily for me though, I live alone. Ha.

by Tiff -

Cropped Jackets Really Are The Shiz

Well people, I finally took my own advice and bought a cropped jacket at Target last week. Mine was a different version than the one shown here (couldn’t find it on their site to show you), but the cut is pretty much exactly the same as the one I’m featuring (Mossimo Black Cropped Jacket – Chestnut, for $13.99).

After looking for over 15 years as a wheelchair-user, and as a jacket expert who I lives in a cold climate (winters that last from Oct – April), I’ve looked long and hard, and yes, the cropped jacket is BY FAR the best design for wheelchair-users. I finally found the holy grail of jackets! omgz!

It may not be as warm (because your lower waist isn’t covered), but if you wear an extra long top underneath, it really doesn’t matter. Now, the reason cropped jackets work SO great for the following reasons:

– The cropped waist requires less fabric to make the jacket, and as a result, stops the jacket from bunching up behind your back. For many people in chairs, their balance is wobbly. And fabric bunching up behind you can totally make your balance even worse (except for you lucky lower paras out there. Bitches ;).

– And see the cropped sleeves (also known as 3/4 length)? Well with these shorter sleeves, it makes it AMAZINGLY easier to put on. Coming from a C6 quad (hello no triceps), this is a huge deal. And for people who push themselves, cropped sleeves will never get caught in your wheels or get dirtied by them.

So there you have it. Now you know that cropped jackets are your best option. So what are you waiting for?? Go out and buy one!!

– Tiff

by Tiff -

Covet of the Week: Colin Stuart Heels

The Shoe Goddess may have good taste, but little does she know that these Colin Stuart Mary Jane Platform Heels (available at Victoria’s Secret), which she recently recommended on her blog, are also a well-heeled fashion tip for women who use wheelchairs.

The double straps, the stacked heel (great for balancing on foot plates), and the subtle color choices (making them a greart, core shoe closet item), are a simply fantastic buy for women like us.

I too want these in rose satin. Talk about the most perfect shade of pink! Gorg.

You can buy your pair here for $78.

– Tiff

by Tiff -

Hey Jacket, Stop Being an Ass

Out of all the clothing on this planet, there’s one garment that’s without a doubt the hardest to put on if you’re paralyzed: And that’s the jacket. 

When you’re in a wheelchair, reaching behind/around you, while trying to avoid getting your jacket caught on your push handles (if you have them that is) is seriously one of the most scream-inducing things ever.

And even though I’ve been injured for 15 years, I still haven’t found a trick that works every time. Have you? It’s almost winter and jacket-season is upon us.

Help! I’m sick of fighting with my bloody jacket!

– Tiff

PS. And no, ponchos are not an option. Can you say EW?